Tailgating truckies.

[Ben73]

Aren't tailgaters(in all vehicle types) the reason rear fog lights were invented?
When I have someone on my *** I start to turn my rear fog lights on and off at random intervals. About half the time the tailgater will back off.
I love having 2 fog lights just below my brake lights.

[mif73]

Originally Posted by FTe342

I drive a B double tanker. Recently took my son-in-law with me on a few trips thru Sydney because he was wanting to upgrade his license from a medium rigid truck to semi-trailer.

His comment was " all new car licence applicants should be made to ride in a truck for half a day before they are granted a car license" (to give them a better appreciation of what it takes for a truck to negotiate corners and stop) .
I have to agree with his sentiments. Some car drivers just have no idea.

This morning about 5am in the B double loaded with fuel I am sitting in the right lane at a T junction at a red light with my left blinker on (thats 2 at the back and at least 4 down the length of the 25 metre truck). I am in the right lane because its the only way I can get the truck around the corner without the B trailer mounting the footpath and taking out some traffic lights/signs). There are no other cars at the intersection, but then I see a car approaching in my left mirror in the left lane. I am thinking, surely they will stop level with the back of the truck, and then follow me around the corner. But no, she drives up level with the front of the truck (as I begin to move and steer left) and then stops right where the B trailer Tri-axle will crush her car and her in it as the leverage from the prime mover and A trailer make her car as about as strong as a coke can. Because I have seen her I stop the truck half way around the corner and have to wait until the idiot moves out of the way so I can complete the manouvre.

That is why everyone should be made to ride in a truck before they get their car license. Most car drivers will give you room and stay away from trucks. Some have NFI !!

You sound like a skilled and responsible driver, trying to make it through your day like everyone else.
I def agree with the idea of car drivers seeing what goes on in the cab.

But this thread is about tailgating/menacing and the extremities of it and it shouldnt be done by anyone in any vehicle, among a hundred other things that just shouldnt happen...

[mif73]

Originally Posted by Ben73

Aren't tailgaters(in all vehicle types) the reason rear fog lights were invented?
When I have someone on my *** I start to turn my rear fog lights on and off at random intervals. About half the time the tailgater will back off.
I love having 2 fog lights just below my brake lights.

Oh oh. Thats just asking for a punch in the face isnt it?

[Tonz]

I have a funny sadistic scence of humour and here in Lincoln the grain road trains have to travel the main drag, with intellegent(?!!) roundabouts spaced along the way. The locals usually know but tourists and their 4wd/caravan combos dont ... you give these guys room cause when at the round..they NEED both lanes .. funny as seeing dicwhit drivers trying to get onto footpath blowing their horns at the road trains... everybody here says "oh go home ya dopey ************

[93EB_SXR6]

Sounds like you have some bad luck mif73. As I said; never happened to me before.
Would have to be a pretty full on experience.

[93EB_SXR6]

Tonz, have seen that myself... great for a laugh!

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by trublu

Is the best response you can come up with Trevor, well you have no credibility, just saying.

and I should be bothered by your opinion?

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by mif73

But this thread is about tailgating/menacing and the extremities of it and it shouldnt be done by anyone in any vehicle, among a hundred other things that just shouldnt happen...

that is the point I was trying to make, far more cars tailgate than trucks, so why isn't there a thread about them, it is because people are scared of trucks, they see them as menacing and the ******* media does not help. Where is TT or ACA doing 'news pieces' on the tailgating cars and the rear enders they are involved in

In my first post I gave a justification for what is perceived as 'tail-gating'. I have also said that I do not like tail-gaters

Some have taken my posts and done the whole "lets attack Trevor" which amuses me no end.

This thread is a beat up and I have treated it as such

[mif73]

Originally Posted by 93EB_SXR6

Sounds like you have some bad luck mif73. As I said; never happened to me before.
Would have to be a pretty full on experience.

Yeah not nice, it doesnt happen often, being on the road more increases the chances though.

I dont care if they smash up the work car, as long as no one gets hurt.
But if i was in my car or had my family in the car it would be a different feeling altogether.

We all need to get along and play nice.
Cheers.

[mif73]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

that is the point I was trying to make, far more cars tailgate than trucks, so why isn't there a thread about them, it is because people are scared of trucks, they see them as menacing and the ******* media does not help. Where is TT or ACA doing 'news pieces' on the tailgating cars and the rear enders they are involved in

In my first post I gave a justification for what is perceived as 'tail-gating'. I have also said that I do not like tail-gaters

Some have taken my posts and done the whole "lets attack Trevor" which amuses me no end.

This thread is a beat up and I have treated it as such

Hi Trev. Im not into attacking mate.
Nor am i sucked in by aca or tt stories.

And i do know the difference between a dot in my rear view and " would you like me to open the boot lid so you can get in".

Perhaps to save further angst and the 'us vs them' arguments we should rename the thread from "tailgating truckies" to "tailgating, does it just suck no matter who is doing it?"

I do know that truckies are doing a ****** job just like the rest of us to get by and have no issues with truckies,(Smokey and the Bandit is one of my favourite movies, and i grew up watching BJ and Bear) I just dislike the actions of inconsiderate drivers no matter what they are in.

Gotta go now, heading east bound and down, loaded up and truckin' ....

[fte50]

Originally Posted by mif73

The truck i had behind me last week was so close that i could see the burr marks on his laser cut stainless steel grille. And that was all i could see .Yes it was a kenworth.

Gotta love a nice laser cut grille

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by Full Noise

This would have to be one of the stupidest posts I’ve ever seen here regarding trucks, and you of all people should know better than to post crap like this here.

Firstly, WTF did you think you were going to achieve with the stupid title other than to have the usual anti-truck parrots harping on about every time they’ve ever seen a truck go over 60 km/h or be within 60 foot from the rear of their car?

Secondly, DriveCam is not going to be installed in “most trucks” within five years, so why make some BS statement like this? Is that what the people who installed it told you? Systems like DriveCam are the root of all evil and anyone with half a brain would realise this.

This job is going to Hell in a hand basket and it’s because of people like your boss pulling the wool over your eyes and people like you who blindly accept BS like this happening.

Just for the record, I know quite a bit about this system and in my opinion, any truck driver who is willing to be subjected to this is not only a first class idiot, but their own worst enemy.

If people like you had any balls or brains, you should have told your boss where he could shove this system. But hang on, it’s there to protect you, right? Is that what you really believe? I have no idea what they put in the water up there but I think that it’s time you lay off it.

What would your boss do if every driver in your depot refused to drive a truck with this system fitted? Go on, tell me.

If you want to protect yourself with a camera, get your own and keep the footage yourself. If you want to be ****** up the Khyber by your boss, keep going the way you are.

How on earth has a post like this got past the Moderators...???

Whilst you may have some valid points, Full Noise, I think the approach you have taken is far from the standard that this Forum is trying to set.

There are posts in other threads that have been removed, simply because they have strayed from topic. This post, on the other hand, is on topic but this post is derogatory and completely inappropriate, and yet it is still here?

Craig H

[mif73]

Originally Posted by fte50

Gotta love a nice laser cut grille

image

Yep looks much nicer from that angle.

I like the look of em when they come fresh out of the laser cutting cnc machine too with no defects, it means i can pack my tools and get the heck outta there.

[93EB_SXR6]

Kenworth trucks still make me want to be a truck driver. So much win in those photos.

[GCRXR6]

Originally Posted by Ben73

Aren't tailgaters(in all vehicle types) the reason rear fog lights were invented?
When I have someone on my *** I start to turn my rear fog lights on and off at random intervals. About half the time the tailgater will back off.
I love having 2 fog lights just below my brake lights.

That's about as intelligent as throwing all of your high beam and driving lights on, because some moron didn't dip his/her lights. Now, there's two blind morons heading at each other.

In your case .. you blind the fool so he can't see and risk an accident.

[GCRXR6]

Originally Posted by JG33

As a truck driver I would welcome having an on-board camera. This would prove how many idiots cut in front of us or think the space we leave in front, is for them to jump in.


Trucks tailgating....pfffft!!!

I wholeheartedly agree with you. There are far too many "other vehicles" cutting in front of rigs, particularly on approach to the lights or intersection, sometimes with the obvious result. However, that does not detract from the fact that rigs (and other vehicles..which I've never denied in this thread) do often travel too close to the vehicle in front, with disastrous consequence.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by GCRXR6

I wholeheartedly agree with you. There are far too many "other vehicles" cutting in front of rigs, particularly on approach to the lights or intersection, sometimes with the obvious result. However, that does not detract from the fact that rigs (and other vehicles..which I've never denied in this thread) do often travel too close to the vehicle in front, with disastrous consequence.

pictures and links to said "disastrous consequence" please, with the emphasis on "disastrous"

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by fte50

Gotta love a nice laser cut grille

image

a couple of local trucks, in fact I am related to the family that own them (by marriage)

[GCRXR6]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

pictures and links to said "disastrous consequence" please, with the emphasis on "disastrous"

Trev, if I were to give the prof you require (which you can find online for your self by the way) I would be in breach of my departmental policies and face the resulting disciplinary action. I'll keep my job Trev. You can find all of the info you require for your disbelieving self.

It's strange that you can't imagine how disastrous would be the result of a rig running over a sedan. Obviously you have never seen it.

[blackf6]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

that is the point I was trying to make, far more cars tailgate than trucks, so why isn't there a thread about them, it is because people are scared of trucks, they see them as menacing and the ******* media does not help. Where is TT or ACA doing 'news pieces' on the tailgating cars and the rear enders they are involved in

In my first post I gave a justification for what is perceived as 'tail-gating'. I have also said that I do not like tail-gaters

Some have taken my posts and done the whole "lets attack Trevor" which amuses me no end.

This thread is a beat up and I have treated it as such

Come on Trev. I am a fuel tanker driver, I started this thread and no it is not a beat up on truck drivers. It is about the implementation of new camera's into most heavy vehicles. The consequences of heavy vehicles tailgating light vehicles or other heavy vehicles is of a far greater concern than a few light vehicles tail gating whoever. I am in the industry and see this camera system as a way of limiting cowboys behind the wheels of trucks. I myself have a 4 second rule to follow or my employment will be terminated. This drive cam will sort out the riff raff for sure.

[blackf6]

Originally Posted by Full Noise

This would have to be one of the stupidest posts I’ve ever seen here regarding trucks, and you of all people should know better than to post crap like this here.

Firstly, WTF did you think you were going to achieve with the stupid title other than to have the usual anti-truck parrots harping on about every time they’ve ever seen a truck go over 60 km/h or be within 60 foot from the rear of their car?

Secondly, DriveCam is not going to be installed in “most trucks” within five years, so why make some BS statement like this? Is that what the people who installed it told you? Systems like DriveCam are the root of all evil and anyone with half a brain would realise this.

This job is going to Hell in a hand basket and it’s because of people like your boss pulling the wool over your eyes and people like you who blindly accept BS like this happening.

Just for the record, I know quite a bit about this system and in my opinion, any truck driver who is willing to be subjected to this is not only a first class idiot, but their own worst enemy.

If people like you had any balls or brains, you should have told your boss where he could shove this system. But hang on, it’s there to protect you, right? Is that what you really believe? I have no idea what they put in the water up there but I think that it’s time you lay off it.

What would your boss do if every driver in your depot refused to drive a truck with this system fitted? Go on, tell me.

If you want to protect yourself with a camera, get your own and keep the footage yourself. If you want to be ****** up the Khyber by your boss, keep going the way you are.

Firstly, WTF did you think you were going to achieve with the stupid title.
*Was making a thread on the dangers I see everyday out on the highway. Not trying to achieve anything but to educate.

Secondly, DriveCam is not going to be installed in “most trucks” within five years, so why make some BS statement like this?
*Drive cam is already installed in a large number of fleets now. Interstate, and tankers. More to follow.

Just for the record, I know quite a bit about this system and in my opinion, any truck driver who is willing to be subjected to this is not only a first class idiot, but their own worst enemy.
* I don't much feel like going on the dole for chucking a tantrum over a simple system that doesn't impede my working life. It's not that hard to drive responsibly.

Systems like DriveCam are the root of all evil and anyone with half a brain would realise this.
*How so? If you were at fault, then granted it may be the root of all evil, but if it showed you were in the right?

You won't have any choice soon mate. If you cant handle a camera watching you when the truck has a g force of .05 g. Best you get out of the industry because that's how it's going. This thread was just to give people a heads up not to start truckie bashing. You seem to have taken this personally?

[mif73]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

that is the point I was trying to make, far more cars tailgate than trucks, so why isn't there a thread about them, it is because people are scared of trucks, they see them as menacing and the ******* media does not help. Where is TT or ACA doing 'news pieces' on the tailgating cars and the rear enders they are involved in

In my first post I gave a justification for what is perceived as 'tail-gating'. I have also said that I do not like tail-gaters

Some have taken my posts and done the whole "lets attack Trevor" which amuses me no end.

This thread is a beat up and I have treated it as such

Hello again Trev,
Mate, if you are going to argue a case, you have to be consistent.
In one sentence you state you reckon tailgating is all good, and then the next you say you hate it being done to you.

So its OK as long as you are the one doing it in your truck, but then when you are driving in your car, you hate it (do you get angry?/worried?/both?) if someone does it to you?

If you truly reckon it's OK, then perhaps you should petition for the law to be changed, then it will be a MAD MAX 2/3 free for all where the vehicle with the biggest wheels and biggest battering ram wins and the Humungus rules the wasteland...

If I'm on the RH Lane and catch up behind someone going a little slow or not overtaking, I dont stick 1 metre up their bum or carry on with High Beams and horns stuck on, I give them time to look in the rear view and decide if they want to pull over or accelerate, if they still stay there going nowhere, then I might give em a quick flash and wait a bit longer, but I keep at least 2 secs behind, then if I can, I will go around another way if safe enough to do so.


PS: Not once did I ever single out truckies as the only culprite, I hate tailgating full stop, and I know the difference between "I just wanna get past you" and "I wanna scare the **** outta you!".


Wishing you the best mate.

[poppa smurf]

I still say the vast majority of truckies, that I have come across and that is not insignificant having travelled almost every highway and byway of this great country, are courteous and safe.

there are the odd cowboys in the industry and I have seen and come across a few of them but they are few and far between, I get out of their way and get them out of mine as soon as possible.

mostly trucks and us get along just fine with very few instances of tailgating, if this occurs I simply concentrate on what is ahead, what goes on behind me is of little consequence.

I move over and signal that it is safe to pass, back off the throttle a fraction whilst the truck is passing and then give him a flash of headlights when the trucks last trailer has cleared my rig.

I get more left/right blinker combinations after passing from the grateful truckie than nastiness.

yes, I more often than not am well below the posted speed limit whilst towing, I sit on 85 - 90 KPH (my legal and safe limit) where possible but have been down much lower than that on gradients.

cities are different, I won't tow my van in amongst that lot, truckies and car drivers are too busy for common courtesy, I see all manner of bad behaviour from both.

the worse that I have seen are the coppers that pilot wide loads out in the sticks who drive straight at me when I have nowhere to go, often the road falls away or trees in the way and I can't risk putting the van down there but they still keep coming straight at me regardless.

Cameras in trucks I see as another problem the truckie has to contend with along with deadlines, bad roads, bad car drivers, bloody tourists as well as faulty/broken gear and ratshit bosses.

Used to be one but glad I'm not in the industry anymore.

[blackf6]

Well said Poopa Smurf. That's exactly how it is. The camera ****** me off. But When your boss implements it into the whole fleet. It is choice you don't have.

[poppa smurf]

you blokes have got far more to contend with nowadays than we ever had, in my day it was "load her up to the gunnels and ship her out".

tough job now..... but you do have a lot softer office.

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by mif73

Hello again Trev,
Mate, if you are going to argue a case, you have to be consistent.
In one sentence you state you reckon tailgating is all good, and then the next you say you hate it being done to you.

NEVER and I say again NEVER have I said it was "all good". I explained the reasons it happens and the perception of car drivers in relation to this, if you are going to paraphrase then at least get the intent right - FFS

I don't do it and I don't want it done to me, but I deal with as I am an ex-truck driver and I understand why they do it and when possible I give them the best opportunity to overtake me, I don't sook about it

Originally Posted by mif73

If I'm on the RH Lane and catch up behind someone going a little slow or not overtaking, I dont stick 1 metre up their bum or carry on with High Beams and horns stuck on

I have NEVER had a truck do that to me and I have traveled most of Australia, but I have had heaps of car drivers do it, when I am in the right lane of a freeway overtaking someone and the ******* behind that are getting impatient with me sitting on the speed limit (by the GPS), I just continue on my merry way (on the speed limit) with them going off their nut

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by poppa smurf

mostly trucks and us get along just fine with very few instances of tailgating, if this occurs I simply concentrate on what is ahead, what goes on behind me is of little consequence..

there is a man who speaks the truth

[mif73]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

NEVER and I say again NEVER have I said it was "all good". I explained the reasons it happens and the perception of car drivers in relation to this, if you are going to paraphrase then at least get the intent right - FFS

I don't do it and I don't want it done to me, but I deal with as I am an ex-truck driver and I understand why they do it and when possible I give them the best opportunity to overtake me, I don't sook about it.

I have NEVER had a truck do that to me and I have traveled most of Australia, but I have had heaps of car drivers do it, when I am in the right lane of a freeway overtaking someone and the ******* behind that are getting impatient with me sitting on the speed limit (by the GPS), I just continue on my merry way (on the speed limit) with them going off their nut

Ok. Again ffs . I am not talking about just trucks doing it!

And i know the difference between perceived and real (less than 2 metres off my bumper) tailgating.
It hardly happens, but that was the example i gave that happened to me last week. And yes dick heads in cars do it too sometimes and it is illegal and dumb to do.

And it doesnt always just happen in the right lane and i usually stick 5 to 10 clicks (yes i have gps too) over when i can so im not some wowser that travels at 90 in a 100 zone, but i do travel at the limit in roadwork zones and school zones etc.

[tezxr8man]

Originally Posted by mif73

Well then if a vehicle has awesome rubber and brakes and a super quick driver, it must be legal to tailgate then.

I suppose if they were up my bum and i braked and they hit me then its my fault?

I should take some speed, drinks heaps of strong coffee and take off in a porsche gt3 or the like and sit on someones bum coz its ok and the cops wont mind a bit.

And 80 tonne was a figure of speech, sounds better than 68.

Ps: not having a go at just truckies, plenty of stupid or inconsiderate (or both) car and bike drivers too.

Cheers.

but you ARE having go at truckies by that remark? I would say most truckies would resent your remarks about them being speed junkies. I would have assumed that you are a car enthusiast being, you know an enthusiast forum here yeah?
I reckon you would be a fan of being labelled a hoon would you?
How about you keep those remarks to yourself. I really don't think you would walk into a truckstop and say that to their faces so how bout you keep them to yourself????

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by tezxr8man

but you ARE having go at truckies by that remark? I would say most truckies would resent your remarks about them being speed junkies. I would have assumed that you are a car enthusiast being, you know an enthusiast forum here yeah?
I reckon you would be a fan of being labelled a hoon would you?
How about you keep those remarks to yourself. I really don't think you would walk into a truckstop and say that to their faces so how bout you keep them to yourself????

he is just another person who is ignorant of the industry, 85% of all freight moved in moved within the State (intra-State), only 15% of all freight moved goes over inter-State borders, of those drivers less than 1% use stay awake drugs. In fact VicPol stats prove that there are more car drivers (by per-capita) using drugs and driving than truck drivers, but hey, lets not let the truth get in the way of a good story.

He is probably the same person to ring up and whinge when something is not delivered to his door on time (D.I.F.O.T.)